Paula Vesala
{{Short description|Finnish singer-songwriter and actress}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Paula Vesala
| image = PMMP Lappeenranta 2013 4.jpg
| caption = Paula Vesala performing at Lappeenrannan Yöt 2013
| Imagesize =
| background = solo_singer
| alias = Vesala
| birth_name = Paula Julia Vesala
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1981|12|10}}
| birth_place = Kärsämäki, Finland
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|violin|guitar|piano}}
| genre = {{hlist|Pop|pop rock}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|actress|playwright}}
| years_active = 2002–present
| label = {{hlist|Sony Finland|Etenee Records}}
| associated_acts = {{hlist|PMMP|Kerkko Koskinen Kollektiivi}}
}}
Paula Julia Vesala (born December 10, 1981) is a Finnish singer-songwriter, actress, and playwright. She was one of two singers and main lyricist in the pop rock duo PMMP along with Mira Luoti. Her solo career began in 2015 under the stage name Vesala. She has composed songs for other well-known Finnish artists such as Vesa-Matti Loiri, Jenni Vartiainen, and Antti Tuisku.
Career
=Education=
Vesala attended the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where she studied music education and classical singing as well as the piano and violin.[http://www.pmmp.fi/paula.php "Biografia: Paula Vesala", PMMP.fi.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930075511/http://www.pmmp.fi/paula.php|date=2009-09-30}} (luettu 22.6.2007) Since 2011, she has studied dramaturgy at the Helsinki Theatre Academy and later at University of California, Los Angeles.http://www.teak.fi/Opiskelu/Koulutusohjelmat/Dramaturgian_koulutusohjelma_BA_MA/Opiskelijat Teatterikorkeakoulu, dramaturgian koulutusohjelman opiskelijat{{cite web|url=http://www.menaiset.fi/artikkeli/ajankohtaista/ihmiset/paula_vesala_muutto_kaliforniaan|title=Paula Vesala: Muutto Kaliforniaan?|date=25 July 2014|website=Me Naiset}} Her 10-minute play "English Lesson" was chosen among seven others as one of the best in the national Theater Masters 10-minute playwriting competition.{{cite web|url=http://www.uniarts.fi/uutishuone/dramaturgian-opiskelija-paula-vesalan-n%C3%A4ytelm%C3%A4-menestyy-usassa|title=Dramaturgian opiskelija Paula Vesalan näytelmä menestyy USA:ssa}}
- Pohjois-Savon Ammattikorkeakoulu (Savonia Polytechinc) Music Pedagogy / major: classical singing 2000 – 2002
- Sibelius Academy: Department: Music Education / major: music education 2002 – 2011
- The Helsinki Theatre Academy: Dramaturgy degree program / major: dramaturgy and playwriting 2011 – 2014
- UCLA-University of California, Los Angeles in MFA Playwriting program at TFT (School of Theater, Film and Television) 2014 – 2017
=PMMP (2002–2013)=
{{Main|PMMP}}
File:Paula Vesala - Ilosaarirock 2012 2.jpg 2012]]
PMMP was a Finnish band fronted by singers Paula Vesala and Mira Luoti and backed by musicians Mikko Virta, Juho Vehmanen and Heikki Kytölä. PMMP has been called one of the biggest and most important bands of the 2000s, as the band had a huge impact on the music scene in Finland. PMMP's albums were produced by Jori Sjöroos, who also wrote the music for all songs. The lyrics are written by Paula and Mira, mostly Paula. The name of the band is often said to be an abbreviation of the phrase "Paulan ja Miran Molemmat Puolet" (both sides of Paula and Mira). In an interview on Finnish talk show Krisse Show, they stated that the name of the band is derived from the names of its members: Paula, Mira, Mira, Paula, similarly to ABBA.
PMMP first became well known in Finland for the 2003 summer hit Rusketusraidat (Tan Lines). They then enjoyed great success with their second album Kovemmat kädet (Rougher Hands), which went gold (double platinum in 2010). An extended version of the album was released in August 2005. Oo siellä jossain mun, a single from the aforementioned album, is PMMP's biggest hit so far in Finland.
In November 2006, PMMP released their third album Leskiäidin tyttäret (Daughters of a widowed mother), which went platinum on the day it was released.
They released an album labeled Puuhevonen (Wooden Horse) featuring contemporary takes on traditional children's songs in 2007, around the time their first children were born. In 2009, they released their fourth rock/pop album Veden varaan (Overboard, or Afloat) and their fifth album Rakkaudesta (Out of love, or About love) was released in 2012.
The band was an acclaimed live act. PMMP played their final concert on October 27, 2013, at the Helsinki Ice Hall which, along with an additional show on the night before, sold out within the first minutes after ticket sales opened.{{cite web|url=https://www.hs.fi/kulttuuri/art-2000002684122.html?share=a8e1ad704f8c5152c1f933412417b7cc|title=PMMP jätti tunteikkaat jäähyväiset|date=28 October 2013|website=Helsingin Sanomat}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hs.fi/kulttuuri/art-2000002684113.html?share=c5da152c46595cc0c498dc7eda768303|title=PMMP jätti haikeat hyvästit Jäähallissa – katso viimeinen haastattelu|date=27 October 2013|website=Helsingin Sanomat}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rumba.fi/live/pmmpn-jaahyvaiskeikka-naytti-miksi-yhtye-ei-ole-2000-luvun-ultra-bra/|title=PMMP:n jäähyväiskeikka näytti, miksi yhtye ei ole 2000-luvun Ultra Bra|work=Rumba.fi}}
In 2013, PMMP was awarded by the Ministry of Education and Culture in Helsinki with the Finland Prize. The Prize gives recognition to important figures in the Finnish cultural landscape across widely varying fields. The pop-duo were "commended for offering new role models for young women."{{cite web|url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/finland_prizes_awarded_to_a_wide_range_of_cultural_figures/6988021|title=Finland Prizes awarded to a wide range of cultural figures|work=Yle Uutiset}}
= Awards =
PMMP has won a total of nine Finnish Grammys.:fi:Emma-gaala The categories are:
- 2003 – Pop-rock newcomer
- 2005 – Album of the year Kovemmat kädet (Rougher Hands), Pop album Kovemmat kädet and Best band
- 2006 – Album of the year Leskiäidin tyttäret (Daughters of a widowed mother) and Pop album Leskiäidin tyttäret
- 2009 – Album of the year Veden varaan (Overboard, or Afloat), Rock album Veden varaan and Best band
=Solo career (2015–present)=
In October 2015, Paula Vesala announced that in the future she would make music under the stage name Vesala.{{cite web|url=http://warnermusiclive.fi/2015/10/soolouran-aloittava-paula-vesala-julkaisee-ensisinglensa-nimella-vesala/|title=Soolouran aloittava Paula Vesala julkaisee ensisinglensä nimellä "Vesala"|author=|work=Warner Music|access-date=2016-07-20|archive-date=2016-01-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126112701/http://warnermusiclive.fi/2015/10/soolouran-aloittava-paula-vesala-julkaisee-ensisinglensa-nimella-vesala/|url-status=dead}} Her first single "Tequila", written and composed by her, was released on October 23, 2015, and her first solo album on June 17, 2016.{{cite web|url= http://www.mtv.fi/viihde/musiikki/artikkeli/paula-vesala-julkaisi-ensimmaisen-soolosinkkunsa-kuuntele-tasta|title=Paula Vesala julkaisi ensimmäisen soolosinkkunsa – kuuntele tästä|author= |work=MTV}} The album sold platinum in just over a month.{{cite web|url= http://www.mtv.fi/viihde/musiikki/artikkeli/vesalan-esikoisalbumi-myi-platinaa-reilussa-kuukaudessa-en-tajua/6005240|title=Vesalan esikoisalbumi myi platinaa reilussa kuukaudessa: "En tajua"|author= |work=MTV}}
= As a lyricist and composer =
Paula Vesala has composed and written songs for other artists such as Johanna Kurkela, Jenni Vartiainen, Vesa-Matti Loiri, Martti Saarinen, Katri Ylander, Tiktak, Petra Gargano, Antti Tuisku, Anna Abreu, Uusi Fantasia, Freeman, Katri Helena, Jippu, Samuli Edelmann, Stig, Jesse Kaikuranta and Aṣa. She has composed music for Finnish theater, including for the play Neljäs Tie directed by {{ill|Esa Leskinen|fi}} shown at the Finnish National Theatre in 2013.{{cite news|url=http://www.hs.fi/kulttuuri/art-2000002606874.html|title=Paula Vesala ja Tapani Rinne säveltävät teatterimusiikkia|author=Vuori, Suna|date=2013-01-18|work=Helsingin Sanomat|accessdate=2016-12-22}} In 2016, she received the Juha Vainio Award, an annual award given to a significant Finnish lyricist. Vesala was the 26th person and the 5th woman to receive the award.{{cite web|url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/usein_viittaan_menneisiin_lauluihin__kulkurisieluinen_paula_vesala_sanoittaa_huomista/9056650|title="Usein viittaan menneisiin lauluihin" – kulkurisieluinen Paula Vesala sanoittaa huomista|publisher=YLE}}
= As an actress =
Vesala acted in a silent film called Myrsk{{cite web|url=http://www.tinjasalmi.com/models|title=models – TinjaSalmi|publisher=}} (Tempest) by director Elina Oikari at TaiK in 2013, playing the role of Prince Ferdinand. She has provided the Finnish voice for several movies including Tinker Bell, Happily N'Ever After, Arthur and the Minimoys, High School Musical 1, 2 and 3. She translated Benny Andersson's, {{ill|Lars Rudolfsson|sv}}'s and Björn Ulvaeus' musical Kristina från Duvemåla,{{cite web|url=http://www.jamsanseutu.fi/Elamanmenoa/1194727924203/artikkeli/bjornin+ja+bennyn+upea+musiikki.html|title=Björnin ja Bennyn upea musiikki|work=www.jamsanseutu.fi}}{{cite web|url=http://useyourillusionandentermydream.blogspot.ro/2012/09/en-annan-varld.html|title=Use Your Illusion And Enter My Dream: En annan värld|author=LilyLuna|publisher=}} and the ABBA songs in the musical Mamma Mia!{{cite web|url=http://www.mamma-mia.fi/sv/forestallningen/konstnarligt_team_finland/|title=Konstnärligt team Finland – MAMMA MIA! Helsinki|publisher=|access-date=2014-12-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217094901/http://www.mamma-mia.fi/sv/forestallningen/konstnarligt_team_finland/|archive-date=2014-12-17|url-status=dead}} from Swedish to Finnish for Svenska Teatern.
=Other projects=
==Kerkko Koskinen Kollektiivi==
Kerkko Koskinen Kollektiivi (Kollektiivi for short) is a Finnish band formed by Kerkko Koskinen (Ultra Bra) with Vuokko Hovatta (Ultra Bra), Paula Vesala (PMMP) and Manna. In January 2014, Paula Vesala informed that she had left the group. She was replaced by Maija Vilkkumaa.{{cite web|url=https://www.hs.fi/kulttuuri/art-2000002704742.html?share=ce491a099a06ef2f5ffb3e9a6ff7e098|title=Maija Vilkkumaa korvaa Paula Vesalan Kerkko Koskinen Kollektiivissa|date=24 January 2014|website=Helsingin Sanomat}}
Kollektiivi has released two albums, Kerkko Koskinen Kollektiivi (which won the Finnish gold record music prize) in 2012 and 2 in 2014.
==Vain elämää==
In 2014, Paula Vesala took part in the 3rd season of Vain elämää with Samuli Edelmann, Elastinen, Paula Koivuniemi, Vesa-Matti Loiri, Jenni Vartiainen, and Toni Wirtanen. The season aired from September 19, 2014, to November 7, 2014. At the end of the 3rd season, the compilation album Vain Elämää – Kausi 3 (ilta) was released under the label WEA / Warner. The album topped the Finnish Albums Chart. The compilation album Vain Elämää – Kausi 3 (päivä) that reached number two in Finnish Albums Chart was released.{{cite web|url=http://www.nelonen.fi/ohjelmat/vain-elamaa|title=Vain elämää|work=Nelonen.fi}}
Personal life
Paula Vesala is from the Finnish town of Kärsämäki. On November 8, 2014, Paula Vesala married her longtime partner Lauri Ylönen, the lead singer of The Rasmus in Las Vegas; the couple filed a marriage statement on December 29, 2014, and the marriage was registered in Helsinki on January 5, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.fi/viihde/musiikki/artikkeli/paula-vesala-ja-lauri-ylonen-avioehto/4676368|title=Paula Vesala ja Lauri Ylönen: Avioehto|work=mtv.fi}}{{cite web|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/viihde/art-1420710846247.html|title=Paula Vesala ja Lauri Ylönen solmivat avioehdon – naimisiin marraskuussa|author=Mika Seppänen|work=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=2015-01-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220100707/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/viihde/art-1420710846247.html|archive-date=2015-12-20|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/viihde/a/2015011219007449|title=Paula Vesala ja Lauri Ylönen – uraparin avioliitto|publisher=}} They have a son Julius, who was born in April 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/viihde/uutinen.asp?id=1805455|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212111206/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/viihde/uutinen.asp?id=1805455|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 12, 2009|title=Linnan juhlat|author=Katri Utula|work=Ilta-Sanomat}}{{cite web|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/viihde/uutinen.asp?id=1520483|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420093620/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/viihde/uutinen.asp?id=1520483|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 20, 2008|title=Lehti: PMMP-Paula ja Rasmus-Lauri saivat pojan|author=Pauliina Leinonen|work=Ilta-Sanomat}} The family moved to Los Angeles in Autumn 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.menaiset.fi/artikkeli/ajankohtaista/ihmiset/gloria_tallaista_on_paula_vesalan_arki_los_angelesissa|title=Gloria: Tällaista on Paula Vesalan arki Los Angelesissa|author=Outi Pippuri|work=Gloria}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.fi/viihde/musiikki/artikkeli/paula-vesala-elamasta-los-angelesissa-se-ei-ole-mikaan-paratiisi/5512472|title=Paula Vesala elämästä Los Angelesissa: Se ei ole mikään paratiisi|author=Visa Högmander|work=MTV}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.fi/viihde/musiikki/artikkeli/los-angelesiin-asettunut-lauri-ylonen-olen-panostanut-perheeseen/5253000|title=Los Angelesiin asettunut Lauri Ylönen: Olen panostanut perheeseen|author=Visa Högmander|work=MTV}}
On September 26, 2016, the couple announced their divorce after a 12-year relationship through an official statement.{{cite web|url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/3-9199004|title=IL: Paula Vesala ja Lauri Ylönen eroavat|author=YLE|work=YLE}}
Discography
=Albums=
| class="wikitable"
|+ With PMMP !Year ! style="width:200px;"|Album |
style="text-align:center;"| 2003
| style="text-align:center;"|6 | Platinum |
style="text-align:center;"| 2005
| style="text-align:center;"|2 | 2× platinum |
style="text-align:center;"| 2006
| style="text-align:center;"|1 | Platinum |
style="text-align:center;"| 2007
| style="text-align:center;"|3 | Platinum |
style="text-align:center;"| 2009
| style="text-align:center;"|1 | Platinum |
style="text-align:center;"| 2012
| style="text-align:center;"|1 |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2013
| Hitit
| style="text-align:center;"|16 | |
| class="wikitable"
|+ Paula Vesala & Pekka Kuusisto !rowspan="2" width="10"|Year !rowspan="2" width="150"|Album !colspan="1" width="20"|Peak positions |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | FIN {{cite web | url=http://finnishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Paula+Vesala | title=Paula Vesala discography | publisher=Hung Medien | work=finnishcharts.com |accessdate=23 November 2014}} |
|---|
| style="text-align:center;"|2011
|Kiestinki | style="text-align:center;"|12 |
| class="wikitable"
|+ Kerkko Koskinen Kollektiivi !rowspan="2" width="10"|Year !rowspan="2" width="150"|Album !colspan="1" width="20"|Peak positions |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | FIN {{cite web | url=http://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/virallinen-lista/artistit/kerkko+koskinen+kollektiivi/kerkko+koskinen+kollektiivi | title=Paula Vesala discography | publisher=Hung Medien | work=finnishcharts.com |accessdate=23 November 2014}} |
|---|
| style="text-align:center;"|2012
|Kerkko Koskinen Kollektiivi | style="text-align:center;"|10 |
| class="wikitable"
|+ Vesala !Year ! style="width:200px;"|Album |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2016
| Vesala
| style="text-align:center;"|1 | Platinum |
| style="text-align:center;"| 2023
| Näkemiin, melankolia
| style="text-align:center;"|1 | |
=Singles=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ With PMMP ! scope="colw" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"| Name ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="4"| Peak positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Certification ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;"| Album |
| width="35"| Single list {{cite web|url=http://finnishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=PMMP|title= finnishcharts.com – Discography PMMP|publisher=Hung Medien finnishcharts.com|accessdate=2012-08-14}} ! width="35"| Download ! width="35"| Radio ! width="35"| 50 Hits |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Rusketusraidat"
|rowspan=4| 2003 | 1 || – || 11 || 2 | Gold |rowspan=4| Kuulkaas enot! |
| scope="row"| "Niina"
| – || – || – || 42 | |
| scope="row"| "Joutsenet"
| 8 || 7 || – || 8 | |
| scope="row"| "Kesä-95"
| – || – || – || – | |
| scope="row"| "Päiväkoti"
|rowspan=6| 2005 | 13 || – || – || 38 | |rowspan=3| Kovemmat kädet |
| scope="row"| "Kovemmat kädet"
| rowspan=2| – || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Oo siellä jossain mun"
| 16 || 6 || 7 | |
| scope="row"| "Kumivirsi" YleX:n Kesäkumibiisi | – || – || – || – | | rowspan=2|Kovemmat kädet – Kumivirsi edition |
| scope="row"| "Pikkuveli"
| – || – || 1 || 2 | |
| scope="row"| "Matkalaulu"
| – || – || 7 || 3 | | Kovemmat kädet |
| scope="row"| "Henkilökohtaisesti"
| 2006 | – || – || 1 || 2 | |rowspan=5| Leskiäidin tyttäret |
| scope="row"| "Tässä elämä on"
|rowspan=5| 2007 | – || 4 || 1 || 2 | |
| scope="row"| "Joku raja"
| 1 || 16 || 20 || 4 | |
| scope="row"| "Kesäkaverit"
| – || – || – || 47 | |
| scope="row"| "Kiitos"
| – || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Täti Monika"
| – || – || – || – | | Puuhevonen |
| scope="row"| "Viimeinen valitusvirsi"
|rowspan=4| 2009 | 12 || 11 || – || – | | rowspan=4| Veden varaan |
| scope="row"| "Lautturi"
| 4 || 4 || 1 || – | Gold |
| scope="row"| "Pariterapiaa"
| 12 || 19 || 19 || – | |
| scope="row"| "Lapsuus loppui"
| – || – || 9 || – | |
| scope="row"| "Heliumpallo"
|rowspan=4| 2012 | – || 11 || 11 || – | | rowspan=4| Rakkaudesta |
| scope="row"| "Rakkaalleni"
| – || 25 || 1 || – | |
| scope="row"| "Tytöt"
| – || – || – || – | |
| scope="row"| "Pahvinaamari"
| – || – || – || – | |
| scope="row"| "Valloittamaton"
| 2013 | – || 8 || – || – | | Hitit |
| class="wikitable"
|+ Various appearances !rowspan="2" width="10"|Year !rowspan="2" width="150"|Title !colspan="1" width="20"|Peak positions !rowspan="2" width="150"|Album |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | FIN |
|---|
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=3|2014
|"Sori" | style="text-align:center;"|1 | style="text-align:center;"|Vain Elämää, Season 3, |
| "Miten ja miksi"
| style="text-align:center;"|10 | style="text-align:center;"|Vain Elämää, Season 3, |
| "Sua vasten aina painautuisin"
| style="text-align:center;"|19 | style="text-align:center;"|Vain Elämää, Season 3, |
Filmography
=Films=
| class="wikitable" | ||
| Year || Movie || Role | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Princess | nurse Elsa |
| rowspan="2"| 2012 | Naked Harbour | music teacher |
| 3 Simoa | Eeva, single parent | |
| 2016 | Little Wing | Siru Miettinen |
| 2017 | The Unknown Soldier | Lyyti Rokka |
| 2023 | Comeback |
=TV Series=
| class="wikitable" | ||
| Year || Show || Role | ||
|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2"| 2014 | #lovemilla | TV-Gitta |
| Angry Birds Stella | Gale (voice) |
=Animation films=
Bibliography
- {{cite book |title= PMMP |last= Vesala |first=Paula |year= 2008 | isbn= 978-952-01-0066-7 |author2=Mira Luoti |author3=Hanna Ylönen |author4=Pasi Kostiainen |publisher=LIKE}}{{cite web|url=http://like.fi/kirjat/pmmp/|title=PMMP|publisher=}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.vesala.la/}} {{in lang|fi}}
- [http://www.pmmp.fi/ PMMP's official website] {{in lang|fi}}
- [http://www.pmmp.fi/biografia/paula/ Paula's biography] {{in lang|fi}}
- {{IMDb name|1867020}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vesala, Paula}}
Category:People from Kärsämäki
Category:21st-century Finnish women singers
Category:Finnish women songwriters
Category:Finnish women pop singers